Türkiye will soon start gas exports to Syria totaling 2 billion cubic meters (bcm) and plans to triple its electricity exports to 1,000 megawatts in the coming months, Türkiye's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Alparslan Bayraktar, announced on Thursday.
During his visit to Damascus, Bayraktar and Syrian Energy Minister Mohammed al-Bashir held a joint press conference.
The two countries signed a framework agreement with Syria in the fields of energy, mining, and hydrocarbons.
Emphasizing that Türkiye is in cooperation to aid the reconstruction of Syria, Bayraktar said: "We now have both short and long-term projects ahead of us. In the short term, we aim to triple our current electricity exports to meet Syria's electricity needs, targeting a capacity of around 1,000 megawatts in the coming months."
"We have also intensified our efforts regarding natural gas," he added. "We will soon begin exporting gas that will reach Aleppo and Homs, providing an additional contribution of approximately 1,300 megawatts of electricity generation in the region, with an annual volume of around 2 bcm."
The Minister pointed out that, with the easing of international sanctions, Syria will have access to crucial investment and financing opportunities.
Bayraktar added that Türkiye is ready to support Syria's development and is committed to working on projects that will improve living conditions for the Syrian people.
"The framework agreement we have just signed in the fields of energy, mining, and carbon resources constitutes an important roadmap for our future cooperation," he concluded.
al-Bashir stated that the natural gas pipeline coming from Türkiye’s Kilis district will be operational within the month of June.Bashir noted that Turkish companies will support Syria both in the fields of mining and electricity distribution, "In addition, technical units will be established between the two countries to carry out infrastructure work aimed at enhancing cooperation in electricity and other energy sectors,” he said.
By Basak Erkalan
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr